UMUR "As the Weird Travel On" is the 6th full-length studio album by US metal act Deceased. The album was released through Thrash Corner Records in May 2005. It´s the successor to the covers album "Rotten To The Core" from 2004. So it´s been quite a few years since the release of the band´s last studio album featuring original material in "Supernatural Addiction (2000)", although Deceased did release the "Behind the Mourner's Veil" EP in 2001, featuring an almost album length playing time of new original material. Since "Rotten To The Core (2004)" lead vocalist King Fowley has now completely abandoned the drumming position (he played on five tracks on "Rotten To The Core (2004)"), and new drummer Dave Castillo therefore plays the drums on all tracks on "As the Weird Travel On".

While it´s been a few years since the release of "Supernatural Addiction (2000)"/"Behind the Mourner's Veil (2001)", Deceased haven´t changed their sound much and "As the Weird Travel On" sounds like the natural successor to the two early millenium releases. This is powerful and very raw heavy metal with speed/thrash metal elements and the occasional nod towards death metal. While the music can be relatively raw at times, this is basically just very hard edged heavy metal and it´s predominantly the raw semi-growling/shouting vocals by Fowley, which provide the music with touches of death metal. As usual the lyrics are horror/gore themed and Fowley again proves that he is a great storyteller. Being told a scary horror story is exactly how it feels listening to the vocal part of the album. The instrumental part of the music features killer heavy metal/speed/thrash metal riffs, harmonies, and very well played leads, powerful organic drumming, and just generally a very high quality level on all positions. Deceased are obviously a confident and very well playing unit.

So upon conclusion "As the Weird Travel On" is yet another high quality release by Deceased. Intriguing and unique songwriting, skilled performances from a distinct sounding band, and a powerful, raw, and detailed sounding production job, which suits the material perfectly. A 4 star (80%) rating is fully deserved.